GEN III: Chapter 9

Brian's ten little fingers and ten little toes made the whole family happy in this difficult time. Hayden's passing was so sudden and unexpected, it shocked the whole family. With Brian there - smiling and cooing at the family - totally unaware of what happened the night of his birth, Hayden's death was easier to handle.

There was not an hour that passed that someone was not holding Brian. The little man would probably be considered the most spoiled baby in the world. He never had a reason to cry, and if he did whine it was only for a fraction of a second before he was tended to. Cedric even had a hand in taking care of the little one, though diapers were not something he would do.

Since Cedric had been placed in jail, Isabel had a real close eye on her son. As much as she loved him, she didn't trust him anymore. For some reason she thought about the news reports that she and Hayden watched. She also couldn't help but feel a tiny bit of resentment toward him because of where he was while his father died.











One day, Starr stopped by to see Cedric. She was pregnant. From the looks of it, about halfway through her pregnancy. He was shocked, and at first he thought that it couldn't be his. Then he remembered the night he proposed to her, that timing was just right.

"Cedric, obviously you see, I'm expecting your child." Starr informed him. Starr did not have the 'glow' that pregnant women have, actually she didn't seem happy at the moment at all.

Isabel eyed Starr suspiciously. She wondered why her future daughter in law didn't tell Cedric earlier.

"Wow." said Cedric. He really wasn't sure what else to say. He knew he wasn't quite ready to be a father, but was getting a little experience with Brian, maybe he could handle it. He hugged Starr, who hugged him back - though it wasn't very affectionate.

Earlier that day Isabel had made arrangements for James to come over to honor Hayden's passing. They did not want a big service at all. Mostly because they thought it would frighten Brian. The plans for the day changed with a small conversation.

When James arrived, the family gathered out back for the shotgun wedding of Cedric and Starr.

Since neither the groom, nor the bride were very creative, the vows spoken were completely traditional.

"I, Cedric, take you Starr, to be my lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day until death do us part."

Then it was Starr's turn.

"I, Starr, take you Cedric, to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and hold from this day forward, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, from this day until death do us part."

Isabel couldn't help but notice that some of her vows were missing. No one else seemed to - or if they did, they didn't care. She also seemed to be rushing a little bit.



The finalizing kiss was sweet. It seemed that Starr had dropped her guard for that moment. She seemed back to normal, just for a minute.

After that moment Cedric said "So you're going to move into this house now, then when the baby is born we'll get our house, okay?"

Starr nodded and tried a genuine smile of gratitude, but it came out more like a satisfied smirk.

Isabel went in to serve something for dinner when she bowed her head. She thought about Hayden, and how he would feel, or what he would say with all this going on. She didn't like it. Something wasn't right.

Isabel served dinner, then everyone went to bed. It had been a really busy couple of days, and the whole family was exhausted.




The next morning, during pancakes, Starr went into labor. She and Cedric rushed to the hospital for the birth. Starr had not read anything about pregnancy or birthing while she carried. She even refused to push when it was time. The doctors had to do an emergency C-Section to get the baby into the world.

When Starr was healthy and healed enough to go home, she was released.

As soon as Cedric and Starr arrived at the house they were greeted by Charlie.

"Congratulations on the boy! What did you name him? Oh, he's so close in age to Brian, I am sure they will get along great!" Charlie said.

Cedric nodded, but Starr just stared.

"His name is Dylan, and I hope the two boys like each other, too. That would be good for all of us." Cedric told Charlie.

"Thanks Charlie." Starr finally said, "Cedric can I see you upstairs?" Starr brought Dylan to the nursery and put him down in the crib someone had brought up from the basement.

"Will you watch Dylan for a few minutes, Daphne? I have to go upstairs for a minute." Starr asked.

Daphne agreed to and smiled at Dylan, immediately she started talking to the newborn and fed him his first meal. Daphne couldn't help but think that Starr should have done this, being his first meal.

"Cedric, I can't handle this! I don't think you can either. We are both alike, and neither of us wanted kids!" Starr started in on Cedric as soon as she walked into his room, where he had been waiting. "Both of us are nothing but criminals. You know me Ced. I am not a good person."

Cedric tried to get in a word, but Starr kept going.

"I don't even know why I brought him into the world. I can't do anything for him. On top of that, I can't stay here! I wouldn't want your precious family finding out what I am about. It's been all over the news, I need to get out of town before any evidence is found!" Starr stopped talking.

She had said too much. Cedric didn't even know that she was a crook. Now he knew she was that and more. He had heard about the murders and missing people. He remembered then that she had said he was a criminal too. How did she know that?

"Cedric, are you listening to me?! I'm leaving. That baby is your responsibility!" Starr read the confused look on Cedric's face and said "I am technically your boss Ced, that's how I know about you. I chose to hire you, though you didn't know it. I know everything that happens in my town. My father was the top of the ladder and taught me everything."

Finally Starr paused to breath. Cedric dropped his surprise and jumped in before she started again. "Look, I know it can be difficult, but let's talk about this. I don't really want this big responsibility either you know!"

Cedric and Starr continued to argue about what they would do about the baby. Well into the evening, they came to a decision.

"Fine. I have to get to work, I'll see you when I get back." Cedric told his new wife.

Starr had no intention of being in this house in the morning.

Cedric left, and Starr watched his car pull away. When he was well out of sight, she got in her own car and left. She wasn't coming back. She had other plans with her life that did not include a baby. She wanted Cedric, but not a baby.

There wasn't a second thought about Dylan as Starr pulled away. She didn't think of how he would feel not knowing his mother. She didn't care. All Starr thought about was herself, anyone else was just a pawn to her.

When Cedric got home at 2am he found Daphne awake. He said hello to her then ran up to his room. Starr wasn't there. Cedric came back downstairs.

"Have you seen my wife?"

"She said she was going shopping. That was right when you left for work. Sorry, I haven't seen her." Daphne replied. She could see the panic that Cedric was trying to hide. "Why don't you give her a call?" She patted Cedric's shoulder and went out to do some gardening.

"Good idea." Cedric said to no one. He picked up the phone and dialed Starr's number. No answer. "Shit." He peeked into the nursery to see if either baby was awake. Both of them were sound asleep. Cedric went to bed himself, full of anxiety.

Infanthood for Brian went by as quick as anyone could blink. All of the sudden it was his birthday. The family gathered around the diningroom table to cheer him on as he grew. His features resembled Charlie quite a bit, his eyes were from neither parent. His eyes were a perfect match of Hayden's eyes. They were his grandfather's color exactly.

The rest of the day consisted of playing with the best boys in the house. Dylan's personality was coming out now that he was mobile, and getting bigger. He was a very perceptive little man, and very brave. Being brave ran in the family.



Isabel watched her son and grand son play and thought about Cedric and Starr. She wondered why she hadn't seen Starr around for a while, and was also curious about why Cedric wouldn't hold his own son.